Retro 2015 Dodge Charger Reworked for a Modern World

By Jeff Youngs, April 22, 2014

Calling the 2015 Charger an "American-bred, 4-door muscle car," Dodge revealed numerous changes to its full-size family sedan at the 2014 New York International Auto Show. When the revamped 2015 Dodge Charger goes on sale, it will be sold in SE, SXT, R/T, and R/T Road & Track trim levels.

Dodge says the 2015 Charger's new styling is inspired by the 1969 Charger, its designers seeking a leaner, lighter, more athletic appearance for the car. Most exterior panels are restyled, and 10 new wheel designs are offered for the 2015 model. Options include HID headlights, LED running lights, LED fog lights, and a new 3-piece spoiler. Fresh paint colors also debut.

Inside, the 2015 Charger features eight new interior color treatments, rendered in what Dodge claims are higher-quality materials than those offered on the current 2014 Charger. Reconfigurable instrumentation is standard, and a new steering wheel is available with paddle shifters. The center control panel is new, and the Charger's optional navigation system now features 3-D map views. Uconnect Access technology supplies the car with 911 Assist service, voice-texting capability, and a Wi-Fi hotspot connection. A new Uconnect Via Mobile app allows the Charger's owner to stream thousands of global Internet radio stations.

Dodge also upgrades the 2015 Charger's safety systems, adding dynamic grid lines to the reversing camera display and introducing new technologies in the form of Advanced Brake Assist, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control Plus with Full Stop capability, and full-speed Forward Collision Warning Plus.

In terms of under hood hardware, all 2015 Dodge Chargers are equipped with electric steering offering Normal, Comfort, and Sport modes. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board, featuring a redesigned e-Shifter and an available Sport mode depending on the trim level and equipment.

As a result of the new transmission, Dodge predicts the 2015 Charger SE will nab an EPA highway fuel-economy rating of 31 mpg. The 3.6-liter V-6 in SE and SXT Chargers makes 292 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque, and when the Rallye Appearance Group is installed on the Charger SXT, those figures jump to 300 horsepower and 264 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to cold-air induction, a sport exhaust system, and revised engine software. The Charger SE and SXT are also offered with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that includes a front-axle disconnect in order to conserve fuel when AWD is not needed.

For "Hemi" power, get the 2015 Charger R/T. Good for 370 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque, this 5.7-liter V-8 includes Fuel Saver Technology that allows it to run on half of its cylinders under certain driving conditions. Performance is still the name of the game, though, and the V-8 accelerates the Charger to 60 mph in less than 6 seconds, according to Dodge. For maximum athleticism, the R/T Road & Track model includes revised powertrain calibration, a 3.07 rear axle ratio, high-speed engine controller, and Dodge Performance Pages with access to a new launch control system.